Casey, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Correct Undercount of Essential Emergency Workers, Better Plan for Future Disasters

Press Release

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are introducing bipartisan legislation that would correct an undercount in emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The EMS Counts Act would require the Department of Labor to collect accurate occupational data on first responders in order to ensure a correct count of EMS personnel across the Nation. Currently, many firefighters whose primary jobs are paramedics or EMTs are undercounted, making it challenging for communities to plan for emergencies and disasters. The EMS Counts Act would rectify this oversight by allowing firefighters to identify themselves as cross-trained EMS providers and paramedics. U.S. Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA-7) and Fred Keller (R-PA-12) introduced companion legislation in the House.

"Emergency medical services personnel and paramedics are on the front lines of emergencies and disasters, making them an absolutely essential workforce," said Senator Casey. "It is important that we have the most up-to-date information about emergency medical services personnel, especially firefighters who take on multiple roles. This legislation takes an important step to ensure that our EMS personnel are best equipped to carry out their vital missions and our communities are taken care of."

"Whether an automobile accident, a fire, a health crisis, or another catastrophe, emergency responders are there in those first critical minutes when courage, skill, and compassion are most needed," said Senator Collins. "Our bipartisan legislation would support these first responders by requiring the Department of Labor to accurately categorize cross-trained providers, such as firefighters whose primary job is being a paramedic. As a senator representing one of the most rural states in the country, I will continue to support the brave men and women who work multiple roles around the clock to protect our communities."

"We have seen health care practitioners step up to serve our communities in inspiring and selfless ways, and making sure we have an accurate count of these first responders will help us meet the health and safety needs of our communities through this crisis and in future emergencies," Representative Wild said. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in leading this common-sense, bipartisan legislation that will help ensure our community is prepared for emergencies during COVID and beyond."

"Thank you to Senators Casey and Collins for introducing the EMS Counts Act in the Senate today and joining Representative Wild and I in addressing the chronic undercounting of first responders. Current occupational data collection methods often overlook the fact that emergency personnel, especially in rural communities, are tasked with performing multiple duties to keep the public safe. Unfortunately, this means that these departments miss out on critical funding and resources that help them better prepare for emergencies. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to advance this legislation and fix this important issue," said Representative Keller.

"NAEMT applauds Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for introducing the EMS Counts Act of 2021. The bill will require the Secretary of Labor to revise the Standard Occupational Classification System to more accurately count the number of Paramedics and EMTs in the United States. This legislation will improve the ability of state and federal government agencies to effectively utilize and support our nation's EMS workforce in caring for the sick and injured and responding to major disasters, public health crises and mass casualty incidents. We look forward to working with Senators Casey and Collins on this foundational bill. We call on Congress to pass this legislation in short order," said Bruce Evans, Fire Chief, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District of Bayfield, Colorado and President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

"I thank Senator Casey and Senator Collins for introducing the EMS Counts Act. This bill will better describe America's fire and EMS workforce. As the nation's first responders face workforce issues, this legislation will help us to better understand how many firefighters, firefighter/EMTs, firefighter/paramedics, and other types of firefighters serve their communities every day," said Fire Chief Kenneth Stuebing, President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

"The International Association of Fire Fighters applauds Senator Casey for introducing the EMS Counts Act to ensure that fire fighters are duly recognized as Emergency Medical Service providers. Historical and current Bureau of Labor Statistics' surveys significantly undercount EMS personnel. Fire fighters are one of the largest groups of EMS providers and must be included in Federal plans for personnel safety, EMS grants, and retiree support. The IAFF urges Congress to pass the EMS Counts Act and recognize the integral role of fire fighters in providing EMS to their communities every day," said General President Edward Kelly, International Association of Fire Fighters.

Under their current classification system, the U.S. Department of Labor does not accurately classify firefighters whose primary job is being a paramedic or EMT, leading to a chronic and significant undercount of EMS personnel.

The EMS Counts Act is supported by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, American Ambulance Association, National Association of State EMS Officials, National Association of EMS Physicians, National Association of EMS Educators, International Academy of Emergency Dispatch, National EMS Management Association, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the Association of Air Medical Services.

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